Gas injector for liquid systems



Dec. 23, 1941.

G. H. MMULLEN ETl'AL GAS INJECTOR FOR `LIQUID SYSTEMS y F'iled sept. 6., 19:59 g sheets-sheet 2 Www @N @mi L I NN. 9m wm f www .\n. .W Hm .ww

Zillen, ada/oww INVENTQRS Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATE-'s A'ra-*1*r;,Nr -QFFICE Gas INJECToR. nzctleum sYsmEMs t George H. McMullenvand JQSahM. Haddaway, West Chester, Pa. j

Application september s, isscrserialno.29am

(ci. reinas) 9 Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide improvements in gas injectors Yfor liquid systems, but especially one which is adapted for use in devices such as those designed for the injection of air into water systems and into the air chambers thereof, in order to insure regular flow of the water therefrom, even where the water lis initially impelled by intermittent or reciprocatory pumping means.

As is well known, in the case of the myriad forms of reciprocatoryand many other types of pumps, whether intended for shallow or deep wells, it is desirable that their `4irregular pumping action shall be transformed into a relatively lsteady and uniform ow of the water propelled thereby, particularly'when the discharge `is not made rst into a gravity storage tank, `but is direct to the faucets, valves, or other Vforms of discharge outlets. For this purpose these pumps have heretofore been provided with an air cham- .may be interposed directly in the main `channel `leading from the pump, or may be attached to a Alaterally directed T or similar form of branch line, or which may be attached to and in coms munication with the interior of the 'storagetanlg which in such a case is closed at the top, and'in such latter case may either be controlled by the level of the water in such tank, as by means of a float, or may be'left free Ato operateentirely independently of such Water level.

' The broad principle upon which the kimproved l injector operates resides in the provision of a casing, within which ispositioned a resilient exvpansible element, such as an elastic tube, into or through which the water flows from the pump and which is alternately expanded by the `intermittent pressure of such Water, until it substannel, being controlled by suitable automatic valves.

A modication of this constructiombut which 'functions within the scope of thefsamebroad 55 principle, comprises a casing and an expansible bellows or equivalent element therein, the .water pressure from fthe pump Lin such case .being ,exerted -upon the `outside of 4such `.element (within said casing), Awhile .an lair `inlet .valve connects the .interior of said element with the-outside of said casing, `and an -air .utl'et valve `connects-.the interior of saidelement Iwith the )interior of said casing, so that a collapsing rand consequentiex- ,pulsion .of air from within Vsaid. element serves to :force such -air into-the water Within the line, and va replacement .of such expelled lair being eiected by an expansion of --said'lelement, whereupon yfresh air is ltaken therein from -vvithout `said casing.

vStill another object is to -provide 4in conjunc- :tion with the form of injector .rst referred .to v(that is, when positioned directly `Ain the water line) an `improved check valve, which operates to provide a ytemporary reverseor.back-pressure, for the -purposeof operating the -.expan'sible element, until such check valve has -functioned to release and permit the Y-flow'o'f waterin themain Vline therethrough, and by which' time said element .has beenable to -force `air surrounding it `into said water .li-ne.

And a still further object is -to `provide Va 'modi- Viied form of the device, by -which Vno air is in- Vjected into the system, .but which device operates as ashockor pulsation-absorbing unit, and `aside from-a protective casing primarily comprises the insertion in the direct water or other liquid vline -of -a radially elastic tube, which alternately expands and contracts with variations in the yliquid pressure, lresulting `frorr'i uneven pulsations from the pump in one direction, Vor -from suddenly closing a valve' or the like, andvthe'reby inthe opposite direction A arresting the iiowof liquid with equal sudden- -ness, in-such latterfcaseltheinertia oftheilowyi-rig liquid Abeing absorbedfby Ythe expansibletube, instead Yof causing the -well Yknown pounding or -hamrner" against the valve for other-arresting means.

`With -the objects vthus' broadly stated, the :invention comprisesiurther details of construction ,and operation, vwhich are hereinafter lfully brought out in the following description, when read in conjunction --with the accompanying drawings, invwhich Fig. 1 is -a transverselongitudinalsection 'of aninjector showing one 1er-nbodiment of theinvention in its `float-opcrate'd form; 1ig. -2v is a transverse section i on the `line f-2-f2 of Fig. 1; ,-Fig. 3is-a s'i-milarsectionof a vslightly modified form -the `iioat -of Fig. 51e;

Fig. 4 is a similar section of a still further but only slightly modified form of the device shown in Fig. 3, connected directly in the water line leading from a pump, or in an` equivalent position in which water flows through it; Fig. 5 is a vertically longitudinal section through substantially the same form of injector as that shown in Fig. 4, but connected in this instance to an improved type of check valve; Fig. 6 is a similar section of a different form of injector, but which also embodies substantially the same principles of operation; and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through a modification of the invention, in which the device is not intended to inject air into the system, but operates directly to absorb pump and similar pulsations, and the so-called water hammer when a valve is closed suddenly.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a small portion I of the upper wall of a tank adapted to hold water or other liquid, is shown as being provided with a threaded aperture 2. This tank, in'addition to; serving as a reservoir, also is intended to contain .a variable quantity of air inV its upper portion inr order to thereby function as an air dome or equivalent for insuring a uniform flow of water from such tank, when and as may be desired under the control of faucets, valves, or other types of controlling means.

rInto the aperture 2 is secured the similarly threaded reduced end portion 3 of a coupling 3,

the relatively larger internally threaded opposite end portion vIl4 o f .which receives in threaded engagement'a cylindrical body member 5, having its opposite end closed by means of an imperiorate cap or other suitable form of closure 6, also in threaded engagement therewith. The body portion5, together with the,.attached members 3' and, 6, cooperate to forma casing which is heredisclosed as being made in probably the most economical form, but which instead may be cast as, for instance, inthe form shown in Fig. 5, and hereinafter described.

' Within the opposite end portions of the body member5 are secured similarly constructed partition units which are, therefore, interchangeable.

Each of these units comprisesan outwardly positioned rigid gasket 'I, formed of metal or other suitable material and of a diameter slightly smaller thanthat of the interior of said body member. Adjacent to each of these gasketsis positioned a rubber or other form of elastic gasket 8while upon the opposite or inner face of each of these elastic gaskets -is, positioned a metallic ring 9, the adjacent surfaces of which `are in cross section represented ,by V,reverse lor O-G curves, and the several parts of, each partition -unit beingv secured together in binding relation by means of circumferentially spaced screws or boltsl. Each of these partition units is provided with an axially positioned bore H, through which extend `the opposite end portions of a radially resilient rubber or equivalent tube I2. Within the lower portion of this tube, in the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is positioned an annular ierrule I3, having an axial downwardly tapering bore I4, forming a valve seat for a correspondingly tapered portion I5 of a rod I6, the lower end of which rod extends downwardly through and freely from the restricted portion 3 of the member 3', and carries a oat I1 positioned within the upper portion of the tank I. The upper portion. I8 of the rod I6 extends freely (With sufficientclearancek to `pass air)` through an, axial .bore I9 in an ,annular ferrule 20, which 75 is positioned in the upper end portion of the tube I2. These ferrules I3 'and 28, being in the same planes as the respective gaskets 8, also serve to prevent a collapse of the adjacent portions of said tube I2, as it is compressed radially inwardly, and which is thus secured in position by a radially inward contraction of the gaskets 8, as they are compressed by the screws ID between the gaskets 'I and the rings 9, when at the same time said gaskets 8 also tend to expand radially outwardly in binding cooperation with the inner surface of the casing member 5. The functional result of this construction permits the adjjustable positioning of the respective partition units vreadily in any desired positions within the casing member 5, and similarly permits them to be Withdrawn therefrom for repair or replacement whenever the same may be desired. Also,

a distinct advantage of such a unit resides in the fact that it forms such a positive seal, that it is adapted for use in many other ways, as for instance in the connection of two pipes, tubes, bars and tubes, et cetera. Y

Y The body member 5 is provided preferably substantially centrally with an aperture 42|, within which is secured any suitable form of air (01' other gas) inlet valve 22, whereby a gas can enter the space 23 between the tube I2 (during its collapse) and the surrounding casing member 5. The several elements of the said partition units are provided with aligned apertures which, together, form bores 24 in which are positioned air outlet vvalves 25 of any suitable type, the same for convenience preferably being valves which are interchangeable with the air inlet valve 22.

lIn the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as the water level rises Within the vtank I and theiioatI'I is thereby raised, the valve I5 is similarly raisedvand accordingly opens the passageway through the lower ferrule I3. Each subsequent pulsation of a supply pump conducting additional water into said tank thereupon forces airintoand radially expands the tube I2, substantially or'completely into the dot-and-dash position i2' shown intFig. 1, with the obvious result that the air previously trapped within'the space 23 .is forced outwardlythroughthe valves -25 and into they upper portion of the tank I. Air passing the upper valve (25 flows radiallyinwardly beneaththe casing closure 6, thence through the bore I9 in'the upper ferrule 20 and downwardly through the tube I2 into the tank, while air passing the lower valve 25 ows directly into said tank. With the release of the temporary excess pressure by opening a valve or other outlet controlling means, theresilient characteristics of the tube I2 'cause it to return to its normal collapsed position shown in Fig. l, thereby drawing air into the casing member 5 through the inlet valve 22. This cycle of operation is thereupon continued until the proper volume of air is restored within the tank and the pressure of such air preventsth'e further operation of the tube I2, until such pressure is again relieved by and upon drawing. water from said tank, Without its being replenished at the same rate by the pump or other liquid impelling means.

. Referring to Fig. 3, since there is no valve stem or fioatpresent in this instance, the ferrules I3 Yand 20 of Fig. 1 are replaced by simple, uniformly bored ferrules 26. However, while the simple cylindrical ferrules 25/would obviously be supplied in new valves in which there is no intention-to Ause a iioat rand valve stem, the device shown inwFig. A1. may be usedas shown in Fig. 3

of the device.

without alteration orsubstitutionfor the ferrule's I3 and 20 other than the mere Velimination of the said valve stem and float. When using the form shown in Fig. 3, this valve operatesv in the same manner as that hereinbefore described, 'but is not restricted to functioning only after the liquid level within the tank reaches a given predetermined height in order to thereby raise the float and release the valve I5. Accordingly, this slightly simplified form of the device begins to operate as soon as the airabove the liquid level within the tank reaches sufficient pressure to causethe tube I2 to expand suiciently to com- `press air in the space 23 and thereafter upon collapsing forcing such air -into the tank. v

vReferring to Fig. 4, the horizontally disposed valve here shown is given the same numerals as are applied to the device as illustrated in Fig. 3. However, it will be noted that in this instance the reduction fitting 3 is duplicated upon both ends of the body member 5. As a consequence of this construction, and by connecting this simple form of air pump directly in the pipe line leading from the liquid pump, the intermittent positive pressure exerted by such pump against the back` pressure of the liquid beyond the improved air pump, will result in causing correspondingly intermittent radial expansion of the elastic tube i2 with intervening contractions of said tube, thereby alternately forcing air from the space 23 in opposite directions through the two air outlet valves `25, directly into the water line and causing replacement air to be drawn into the space 23 by way of the air inlet valve 22.

Referring to Fig. 5, a cast form of the improved injector is here shown as comprising a centrally bellied body portion 30, within and between the opposite relatively restricted ends 3l of which are secured the opposite end portions of a radially elastic tube 32 by means of hollow annular ferrules 33, having conical faces 34 in contact with the ends of said tube, said ferrules being forced into operative position by means of hollow annular nuts 35, which are removably positioned within the internally threaded end portions 3,6 The central portion 30 is provided substantially centrally with an air inlet aperture 31 controlled by a valve 38, while one side oi' the device is provided with a, radial enlargement 39 through which extends longitudinally a bore 40 opening through apertures 4l and 42, respectively, into the air space surrounding the tube 32 and into the water line, preferably beyond one or other of the two ferrule-sealing nuts 35, and the flow of air through this channel being restricted to one direction only by means of a second valve 43 of any desired type, but preferably interchangeable with the valve 38.

In conjunction with the form of the injector last described, and through which liquid is intended to flow in the direction of the arrow, there is preferably connected to the discharge end of said injector a check valve of any suitable type, but for which purpose there is here illustrated a simple form which is characterized by'high eniciency, as well as economy in construction. This valve primarily comprises an inlet channel 45 and an outlet channel 46, between and separating which is a vertical'channel 41, said last-mentioned channel terminating downwardly in an annular tapered valve seat 48 through' which communication is had with the inlet channel 45. A gravityvactuated valve 49 is adapted to rest upon said valve seat, while the wall of the central channel 41 is provided with an aperture 5b direct communication with the outletlchannel lathe Vlower side of the'aperture '.30 being spaced above said tion. The upper portion of the'central channel 41 isalso connected with the outlet channel 46by means of a by-pass 5l, both for the -purpose of relieving pressure up'onthe upper surface of the valve as it Vrises, and also vfor. the purpose of positively seating said. valve between positive pulsations ofi the pump `connected to the opposite Vend of the injector.

The positive seating of the Valve Sais effected by. reason of the differential of the areasof its Aupper land lower surfaces, while access to this valve maybe had by and upon removing a plug or equivalent'closure 52 for the upper portion of the central channel 41. Inrthe operation of the composite structure shown in Fig. 5,AV pressure originating with the pump (not shown) will build up within and causer expansion of `theflexible tube 32,'until the valve '49 has raised sufciently to permit such pressure to be relieved by exitof the temporarily conii'ned liquid through the aperture 55 into the discharge channel 46 of said check valve. Thereupon, as soon as the temporary pump pressure has been released, the weight of the valve 9, combined with the `back pressure of the Water or other liquid upon the upper Asurfaceof this valve', will cause itto dropinto its lower position far-ld therebyblck any reverse fiow of water through'the'injector?? Referring now toFig. 6, a modied form of air injector is here sh'ovvnas comprising' a lower vtubular portion 55, which is normally/'secured within an aperture in theupperwall lof'a tank. The member 55' also comprises a, flange v58, to which is secured by screws 59"the viianged portion of a preferably tubular casing'SL-the upperportion of which'is closed by a wallv 62, except for a central aperture-63, in which issecured an air inlet valve 54 by any suitable means. Positioned within the upper portion of said casing and with its interior in communication with the valve 64 is a metal bellows 65, the lower wall 66 of which is apertured at '51 and communicates through `an air outlet'valve 68 with the under side of a corrugated metalv diaphragm 69, the upper wall 1l) of which diaphragm is` suitably secured so as to move in unison with the lower wall 66 of said bellows. The-lower' portion of said diaphragm is thereuponvpro'vided with a radially outwardly extending annular iiange 1I, which is lof the diaphragm :to alternately riseY and fall,

thereby causing a corresponding rise and fall of the lower wall 6G of said bellows, with the obvious result that air isalternately drawn past the valve 64 into 'and expelled past the valve 68 into the upper portion of said'tank.

Referring to Fig. '1, thel modified form of the device here shown'comprises'a preferably bellied or equivalently shaped casing 15, having a laterally directed opening 15, spanned by a perforated or at least porous'cover 11, by which foreign particles and dust are prevented from entering the space between said casing and an axially positioned, radially elastic tube 18 positioned therein. Said tube is secured in operative position by means of annular ferrulesand nuts 19 and 85, while said asingis adapted to be connected directly in the main line of the system by 4means of threaded end portions, or equivalent means. Thus, except for the injection principle, the modification shown in Fig. 7' is structurally similar in the details mentioned to that shown in Fig. 5, and pulsations in the body of liquid caused by the pump are absorbed by the radial expansion of said tube, while in a similar manner the inertia of ilowing liquid, as when the device is placed in a line between a tank or other supply and a valve, is absorbed by said tube upon suddenly closing such '.valve, and thereby eliminating the so-called hammer eiect. Instead of the porous cover 71, the opening 16 may be closed by a valve which normally permits a free flow of air in both directions, While contact of a liquid with such valve, as when the tube may leak, operates to positively close, the valve and prevent escape of liquid from the system.

The broad idea underlying the principles embodied in the present invention, and defined by the appended claims, is t be understood as anticipating the many changes in details of construction which may be made in the several forms .of the injector hereinbefore described, while still operating to function in accordance with the principles herein set forth.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A gas injector pumpfor liquid systems, comprising a casing, a distortable member within and spaced from said casing, adapted to be distorted by positive pressure within the system to occupy the space between said casing and said member, adjustable distortable sealing means to connect said casing with said member, a gas inlet valve extending through said casing and connecting the space between said casing and said member with the exterior of said casing, and a gas outlet valve extending through said sealing means and connecting the said space with the system.

2. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tube secured at spaced regions to the inner walls of said casing upon the opposite sides of said central portion to provide a space therebetween, an inlet valve connecting said space with the exterior of said casing, a second valve connecting said space with said system, said casing being connected to the upper air chamber of a liquid containing tank, and the interior of said tube being in communication with said air chamber.

3. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tube within said casing, partition units sealing-the space between said tube and said casing adjacent to each end of said tube, an inlet valve connecting said space to the exterior of said casing, the interior of said casing being connected to the uppergas chamber of a liquid containing tank, and an outlet ,valvev extending through one of said partitions and connecting said space with said gas chamber.

4. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tube within sai-d casing, partition units sealing the space betweensaid tube and said casing adjacent to each end of said tube, an inlet valve connecting said space to the exterior of said casing, said casing being connected to the upper gas chamber of a liquid containing tank, and outlet valves extending through said partitions, one valve leading from said space directly into said gas chamber, and the other valve leading into said gas chamber by way of said tube. l l

5. A gas injector vfor liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tube within said casing, partition units sealing the space between said tube and said casing adjacent to each end of said tube, an inlet valve connecting said space to the exterior of said casing, the interior of said casing being connected to the upper gas chamber of a liquid containing tank, an outlet valve extending through one of said partitions and connecting said space with said gas chamber, a ferrule having a valve seat and distending the normal lower portion of said tube, a valve for said seat, and a float depending from and adapted to raise said valve from said seat upon liquid in said tank reaching a predetermined level, whereby when said valve is raised said tube functions in accordance with variations in pressure upon the liquid by extraneous impelling means.

6. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tubel within said casing, partition units sealing the space between said tube and said casing adjacent to each end of said tube, an inlet valve connecting said space to the exterior of said casing, the interior of said casing being connected to the upper gas chamber of a liquid containing tank, an outlet valve extending through one of said partitions and connecting said space with said gas chamber, a ferrule having a valve seat and distending the normal lower portion of said tube, a valve for said seat, a float depending from and adapted to raise said valve from said seat upon liquid in said tank reaching a predetermined level, whereby when said valve is raised said tube functions in accordance with variations in pressure upon the liquid by extraneous impelling means, a stem rising from said valve, and a ierrule in the normal upper portion of and distending said tube, and through which said valve stem passes loosely as a guide.

'7. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing having an enlarged portion, a radially expansible tube within said casing, partition units sealing the space between said tube and said casing adjacent to each end of said tube, an inlet valve connecting said space to the exterior of said casing, said casingY being connected to the upper gas chamberr of a liquid containing tank, outlet valves extending through said partitions, one valve leading from said space directly into said gas chamber, and the other valve leading into said gas chamber by way of said tube, a ferrule having a valve seat and distorting the normal lower portion of said tube, a valve for said seat, and a iloat depending from and adapted to raise said valve from said seat upon liquid in said tank reaching a predetermined level, whereby when said valve is raised said tube functions in accordance with variations in pressure upon the liquid by extraneous impelling means.

8. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing, a bellows attached to and closed upon one side by said casing, an inlet valve extending through said casing into said bellows, an axially yieldable diaphragm spanning said casing beneath and operative to actuate said bellows, an outlet valve connecting the interior of said bellows with the lower side of said diaphragm, and means to secure said casing to and in communication with an air chamber in a liquid system.

9. A gas injector for liquid systems, comprising a casing, a bellows within and having one side interior of said bellows with the opposite side fixed with respect to a wall of said casing, an inof said diaphragm, and means to secure said caslet valve extending through said casing into said ingto and in communication with a gas chambellows, a diaphragm spanning said casing upon ber in a liquid system.

the opposite side of said bellows, and connected 5 to said bellows so as to alternately collapse and GEORGE H. MCMULLEN.

distend the same, an outlet valve 'connecting the J OSIAH M. HADDAWAY. 

